"appearances can definitely be deceiving"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted December 1, 2012
Romance
I can vividly remember the very first Susan Elizabeth
Phillips book I ever read "Dream A Little Dream". I was
instantly hooked and became a lifelong fan. Her character
Rachel Stone was firmly embedded in my heart. While
reading CAN'T BUY ME LOVE by Molly O'Keefe I realized
that the main character Tara Jean Sweet reminds me of
Rachel. Strong, yet so vulnerable with a heart as big as
could be but with little or no pride or confidence left
after a life that broke them down rather than encouraging
personal growth.
For Tara Jean there are words she never expects to hear
from anyone -- I'm so proud of you. Very telling about the
kind of life Tara manages to survive. The fact that her
self confidence is long gone, non-existent and replaced by
self loathing is not a big surprise. How do you look
yourself in the mirror when your reflection brings you a
sense of dread -- is this what I've become -- a shell of a
person -- a victim. Either you face your demons or they will
destroy you. Tara is losing the battle with hers until
Luc.
Sure it is a crazy scheme designed to bring his children
back home. Lyle Baker isn't known for caring about the
repercussions from his actions, all his life he never
really cared about anything or anyone. But he somehow has
developed a relationship of sorts with this young woman he
meets during one of his hospital stays. She matters to this
gruff insensitive man and that's what concerns his
absentee family who reluctantly decide to return home and
challenge the impending marriage between their father and
this hussy. That is exactly the reaction that Lyle hopes
for when he has Tara pose rather provocatively dressed in a
photo with him that is sent to his children. Luc and his
sister Victoria and her son Jacob are descending on the
Crooked Creek ranch but for decidedly different purposes.
Luc's hockey career is nearing its end based on the
residue injuries he sustained over the years. Victoria
desperately needs a place to regroup and if honest hide
from the ever present media circus hovering since her
husband's Ponzi scheme was discovered and his suicide
left her broke, alone and frightened. Both Luc and
Victoria are somewhat fragile -- just in different ways.
Going to the ranch provides Victoria and Jacob a place
to jump start their lives. For Luc it represents a place
to recuperate from his latest knock to the head and
hopefully give him some room to decide what his future
holds.
Getting to know Tara Jean is quite a challenge for Luc.
She manages to stonewall him at every opportunity. Tara
definitely isn't what Luc expects. She projects a hard
edged front but Luc is able to see beyond that in rather
short order. She confuses him. She entertains him. In
truth she attracts him beyond his wildness imagination.
There are obviously several layers to this woman and Luc
is really interested in uncovering them all.
Hidden in those layers is a well guarded secret to
Tara's past, one she needs to remain hidden. Reopening
that door could bring violence back into her world. And
even scarier is the fact that violence could touch one of
these people that had become quite dear to her. Deflecting
that damage becomes her top priority but at what price.
No doubt in my mind Molly O'Keefe is a very talented
storyteller. Her books leave you wanting more. This is
part of a three book series -- next Can't Hurry Love and
then finally Crazy Thing Called Love. I didn't actually
read these in any order which was just fine as each one
does an admiral job of standing on its own. O'Keefe is a
recent discovery of mine and I'm delighted to say she has a
new fan. Well written and funny dialog with just the right
amount of mystery keeps CAN'T BUY ME LOVE moving along at a
rapid
pace.
SUMMARY
A girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Tara Jean Sweet
knows that opportunity will never knock; she’ll have to
seize it. Elderly Texas rancher Lyle Baker has a dying
request: He will give Tara Jean a stake in his leather
business in exchange for a little family subterfuge. All
Tara Jean has to do is play the part of a gold-digging
fiancée to lure Lyle’s estranged children home. The mission
is soon accomplished.
Now Lyle’s gone—and his ridiculously handsome son, Luc, an
ice hockey superstar sidelined by injuries, is the new owner
of Crooked Creek ranch. He’s also Tara Jean’s boss. But
being so close to sinfully sweet Tara Jean does crazy things
to Luc’s priorities, like make him want to pry her deepest
secrets from those irresistible lips. But when Tara Jean’s
past demands a dirty showdown, will Luc stay and fight?
What do you think about this review?
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